“A young female patient  came in for a routine contact lens check.  She was recently seen by her primary care provider (PCP).  When I examined her I noticed a certain glazed look and proptosis (protruding eyes).  When I inquired further she indicated that she’s been having headaches for the past month and her PCP said it was a migraine and told her to take a non steroidal anti inflammatory.  Upon looking at her optic nerves with my 78 D lens in the Slit Lamp (an instrument that an optometrist looks through to see the front and back of the eye) and then taking fundus photos (retinal camera that takes detailed, magnified views of the retina), there was significant papilladema OU (Swelling of the optic Nerves). 

I urgently called her physician to let him know that I will be sending her to the ER for an MRI since it was in the evening. The MRI confirmed a large brain tumor. The brain surgeon said the pressure in her brain was so high that she would have passed away in her sleep if this had gone on for one more day.   This is just one example of the crucial importance of routine eye exams.   In summary, an eye exam is not just for diagnosing vision issues and updating a contact lens prescription, but can diagnose many eye and systemic (body) conditions that can be sight and life threatening.”

– Dr. Najjar